Esther Holmes, 92
Dateline: Norton, MA
Esther Holmes, 92, of Norton died on Monday March 3, 2008 at the Daggett-Crandall- Newcomb Home in Norton.
Born in Norton, MA on November 15, 1915 she was a daughter of the late David and Lillian C. (Austin) Holmes.
Educated in Norton schools, she was able to skip one of her early grades, graduating from high school in 1932. After graduating from Wheaton College in 1936, she continued her studies at Simmons College when she was unable to find work during the middle of the Great Depression. From Simmons, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in secretarial studies.
Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., in October 1941 to work for the Navy’s Bureau of Yards and Docks, she was employed by Wheaton College, Ogontz Junior College in Pennsylvania, and the former L.G. Balfour Co. in Attleboro where she was secretary to the sales executive and advertising manager for fraternity jewelry.
Miss Holmes started her naval career by enlisting in October 1942 in the officer’s program of the Naval Research, known as the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She was a member of the second class of WAVES to be graduated from Smith College, Northampton, receiving her commission on Jan. 8, 1943, assigned to the secretariat of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. She was discharged with the rank of lieutenant on January 21, 1946, and received a certificate of satisfactory services from James Forrestal, secretary of the Navy on behalf of the President of the United States.
After World War II, Miss Holmes was employed in Washington, D.C., for several years working as a secretary for a patent law firm and a researcher for the Washington Bureau of the Copley Press. She returned to Norton in 1949 – to the home in which she was born – to help care for her mother.
She was employed in the personnel department at Texas Instruments in Attleboro and its local predecessor Metals & Controls for nearly 30 years before retiring in 1980. During her tenure at the company, her assignments included job evaluation and counseling retirees.
In addition, she was a job evaluation consultant for a Pennsylvania newspaper.
She was a life member of the Norton Historical Society, a former active member of the TI Retirees Club, the Business and Professional Women’s Club serving the Attleboro area.
In her early years, she enjoyed ice skating, tennis and badminton. She was a member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Norton and was a longtime volunteer for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile.
She traveled extensively visiting five of the seven continents. She enjoyed family gatherings, especially at holidays and was the host for many years at these get-togethers.
She is survived by her nephews and nieces: Henry B. Reiley, III and his wife Anne L. of Attleboro, David H. Reiley and his wife Ronie G. of Somerset, PA, Bettie Mercier of Boston, Marie Mercier and her husband Kurt Buermann of Sharon, Jeannette Niose of Sharon and Mary Elaine Mercier of Windsor, VT, her great nieces and nephews: Deborah Goulding and her husband Richie and their children, Emma C. and Kevin P. all of North Attleboro, Darcey Mercier and her daughter Samantha of VT, David H. Reiley, Jr. of Tuscon, AZ, Amy Reiley of Los Angeles, CA, James M. Reiley and his wife Sharon and their daughter Paige E. all of North Attleboro, Rebecca Niose of Albuquerque, NM and Megan Mercier-Senn, Justine Mercier-Senn and Kayla Mercier all of Windsor, VT. She was the sister of the late Ruth Mercier and Betty Reiley.
Visiting hours, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Thursday March 6th from 6-8 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton.
Private graveside services with military honors will be held on Friday March 7th at the Norton Center Cemetery in Norton.
A celebration of her life, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Friday March 7th at 1:00 P.M. in the Trinitarian Congregational Church, East Main and Pine Streets, Norton with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Holmes-Mercier Scholarship Fund at Wheaton College 26 East Main Street Norton, MA 02766
For additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com